Storytelling and the Moving Image: The Short Film (15 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

To develop a comprehensive knowledge of narrative theory in order that the student’s creative skills and technical ability can be applied to the practice of film script writing. To foster critical awareness of narrative theories as creative and analytical tools for film script writing. To develop an extensive understanding of the specific nature of the short film as a creative form of storytelling and to exhibit that understanding in the practice of scriptwriting. At the end of the module students will be able to apply theories of narrative to the evaluation and analysis of script texts,
utilise the principles of narrative storytelling in the creation of a script text, understand how theories of structure and plot development relate to narrative story telling, comprehend the centrality of theme to narrative and to critically and creatively apply theme concepts to film script texts, apply skills and techniques to the creative development of character action, character dialogue, character intentionality and narrative meaning in the construction of a script text and create original script texts within the short film form.

Content (course unit)

Lectures will introduce theories, concepts and methodologies which are further developed and discussed within seminars. Seminars will use screen texts as the primary source of analysis and discussion. Workshops will concentrate on the analysis of script texts (authored and student) and the application of acquired knowledge to these texts.
Students will study story in relationship to the development of western drama and its progression to present narrative and structural strategies for storytelling. Plot will be examined in relation to issues such as causality and the nature of conflict and obstacle within dramatic narrative. Students will study the role of theme as a subject of artistic representation and its primacy as an articulator of plot events, narrative action and character creation. Characterisation will be discussed in terms of personality development, intentionality and narrative progression. Students will study the specific form and narrative of the short film.